We’d like to introduce to you our new Director of Staff and Students, Mrs Danielle Spark

What is your role at the College this year?
My new role is a new position, Director of Staff & Students.

What does your new role entail?
I will be working with both staff and students on day-to-day matters relating to pastoral care and wellbeing. I will be working closely with the Deans, the Head of Boarding and our College Psychologists in this regard. The role will also require me to work closely with the House Coordinators as they prepare students for all of the events which contribute to the McAuley Shield.

How long have you been at Santa Maria College and what subjects and roles have you taught/held prior to this?
I started teaching at Santa Maria College in 2001 so I have been here a very long time and had the privilege of holding a wide range of roles. I started as a teacher of Health and Physical Education before moving into the role of Head of Learning Area in that same department. I changed teaching areas after some study and became a teacher of Home Economics, again moving into the Head of Learning Area role in that department. I have also held the Head of Technology and Enterprise role and been a House Coordinator for O’Reilly.

What are you most looking forward to in this role?
I am looking forward to working with a wider group of both staff and students in a different capacity to some of my previous roles.

What is your biggest challenge this year?
Stepping into the shoes of Mrs Helen Chaffer! She is such a consummate professional and an incredible role model in every regard. I am hopeful that I do this role, and her previous work, justice.

When looking back at the end of the year what do you hope to have achieved?
I hope that at the end of the year I can look back and say that I have had a role in implementing some initiatives that have helped to improve the wellbeing of our staff and students and perhaps our parents might get on board too!

What is your favourite quote?
Last year I shared my favourite quote in a different context. So, instead of my favourite quote, I thought I would find a quote that summed up what I am hoping to achieve this year, and what I hope to be able to motivate others to achieve. “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody”.